2025 Compare Cities Education:
Marion, IA vs Des Moines, IA

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Highlights
- Des Moines spends 11.1% less per student than Marion.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 5.6% higher in Des Moines than in Marion. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Des Moines had 10.0% fewer residents who had graduated High School compared to Marion
 Marion, IADes Moines, IAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$14,293$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$11,730  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$7,373$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio14.7  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock7994573
 Students per Counselor365  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock6.5%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.2.4%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock87.1%88.9%
 Some College Educ.20.4%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock9.2%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.36.7%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock6.2%9.3%
 Professional Degree1.3%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock0.8%1.5%
Reviews for Marion    3 Reviews

I've lived in Marion for ~22 years now, and it has its pros (+) and cons (-): + Marion is one of the safest places to live in the country. + The cost of living vs  More

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Over 15 years ago

Marion is clean, affordable and has one of the lowest crime rates in the state. The people here are friendly and helpful. Marion shares a border with Cedar Rapids  More

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Marion is one of the fastest growing communities in Iowa. We have a highly educated workforce, affordable housing, low crime and excellent education. Plus, there is much  More

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Reviews for Des Moines    53 Reviews

Des Moines is a ok and pretty quiet place but as a teen it could be dramatic because Des Moines do have is fair or violents places to avoid in Des Moines would be the  More

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Dude · 
Over 5 years ago

This city is violent, there are too many gangs especially on the north  More

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Over 6 years ago

Good for the old that like slow pace and cheap buffets. Also good for non-descript mid-westerners that don't like a lot of action. No nightlife or mountains to hike  More

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